Patient-reported Upper Limb Function After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer: A Prospective Observational...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard for axillary staging in breast cancer.
• Existing studies show inconsistency in reporting upper limb morbidity post-SLNB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate upper limb function following SLNB using the quickDASH questionnaire.
• To assess changes in arm function at pre-surgery, 2 weeks, and 3 months post-SLNB.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study including patients undergoing wide local excision and SLNB.
• Arm function assessed via quickDASH questionnaire at three time points.
• Statistical comparison of scores using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Main Results:

• Ninety-nine patients analyzed; mean scores showed significant changes between all time points (A, B, C).
• Median scores also demonstrated statistically significant differences between pre-surgery, 2-week, and 3-month assessments.
• Higher BMI correlated with worse upper limb function at 2 weeks and 3 months post-SLNB.

Conclusions:

• SLNB leads to significant, albeit temporary, deterioration in upper limb function.
• Functional recovery observed by 3 months post-SLNB, but does not fully return to baseline.
• Larger studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to fully understand functional morbidity and recovery patterns.